"Amnesty International welcomes Minister (Ralph) Kasambara's statement and hopes it serves as the first step toward ending discrimination and persecution based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in Malawi," said Noel Kututwa, the rights group's director for southern Africa.

CNN attempts to reach the justice ministry were unsuccessful.

Earlier this year, President Joyce Banda pledged to review the laws in a move aimed at boosting relationships with international donors. Critics accused her predecessor, who died in April, of rebelling against the international community and risking foreign aid that benefits the poor.